Morning Headlines - Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2025 | Recent News

Start your day informed with today’s must-read headlines from around Wisconsin and the world. And don’t forget to check out our Meme of the Day at the end for a little humor to go with your news!

U.S. and World Headlines

Kimmel Takes On Carr, Trump In Tearful Return To Late Night

Comedian Jimmy Kimmel returned to his late night perch on Tuesday, giving an emotional response to the backlash his comments last week on the killing of Charlie Kirk sparked and speaking out against what he said was an attempt to silence him by the Trump administration.

“Maybe most of all I want to thank the people who don’t support what I have to say but support my right to speak those beliefs anyway,” Kimmel said as he returned to the network after a weeklong suspension.

The host called out by name several prominent conservative pundits and Republican lawmakers who criticized ABC’s decision to take Kimmel off the air, a move that came after Trump’s Federal Communications Commission (FCC) chair, Brendan Car, blasted the host over his comments and suggested the host be punished by the network or its affiliates.

Trump, In Major Shift, Suggests Ukraine Can Win Back Territory Long Held By Russia

President Trump on Tuesday shifted his position on whether Ukraine should hold out for all the territory seized by Russia, saying on social media that he thinks Ukraine is in a position to win it all back.

It's a reversal from his long-held position that Kyiv would need to give up some of its territory to Moscow to end the war – such as Crimea, which Russia annexed in 2014.

But now, "after getting to know and fully understand the Ukraine/Russia Military and Economic situation," Trump said he believes Ukraine – backed by the European Union and NATO – can win back all its territory.

Growing Number Of Independent Voters Poses Challenges For Both Parties

The number of registered independent voters is on the rise in the U.S., forcing campaigns to grapple with tough questions about how to target these voters ahead of next year’s midterms and the 2028 presidential election.

According to a recent report from The Hill’s partners at Decision Desk HQ, a majority of U.S. states are reporting their most significant voter registration gains are coming from voters who do not want to be affiliated with a political party. On top of that, exit polling from the 2024 presidential election found that self-identified independents outnumbered registered Democrats.

Disney Raises Prices For Streaming Packages

Disney on Tuesday unveiled price increases for its streaming subscription packages beginning Oct. 21.

The stand-alone Disney+ ad-supported plan will see a $2 increase to $11.99 per month, while the premium no-ads plan will jump $3 to $18.99 per month or get a $30 annual hike to $189.99 per year.

The Disney+ and Hulu ad-supported package will increase by $2 per month, and both of the bundles with Disney+, Hulu and ESPN will see a $3 monthly increase. The packages with Disney+, Hulu and HBO Max will also both increase by $3 per month.

MLB Approves Robot Umpires For 2026 As Part Of Challenge System

Major League Baseball will implement a challenge system for balls and strikes in the 2026 season after the league's competition committee voted Tuesday to usher in the era of robot umpiring.

Following years of testing in the minor leagues, as well as during spring training and at this year's All-Star Game, MLB forged ahead with a system that will give teams two challenges per game.

Menomonie Mayor Puts $1.6B Data Center Proposal On Hold

The longtime mayor of Menomonie in western Wisconsin says the city won’t be negotiating any development agreements with a firm behind a $1.6 billion data center proposal.

The announcement comes after the city council had already annexed and rezoned around 320 acres of farmland for the project.

The Menomonie City Council’s agenda for its Monday meeting didn’t include any mentions of the data center project, which has spurred significant opposition in the community and surrounding areas. But it still loomed large over the proceedings.

Wisconsin Lawmakers Propose Affordable Housing Bills

Wisconsin Republicans are circulating new bills to pave the way for more affordable housing.

The average age of a first-time home buyer is 38 years old, according to the Wisconsin Realtors Association— and these legislators hope to change that.

“Home ownership since the founding of this nation has been key to the generation of wealth and achieving the American dream,” State Rep. Dan Knodl, R - Germantown, said during a Tuesday morning press conference.

Republican Lawmakers Introduce Bill To Protect Free Speech On UW Campuses

Four Republican legislators are reintroducing a bill that would protect free speech on Universities of Wisconsin campuses and penalize the schools if they prohibit it.

The bill allows students to sue the UW schools if their freedom is violated in any way.

It's the fourth time the bill has been circulated, but lawmakers believe it's especially important now.

Mining Company Says Drilling Confirms ‘Significant’ Copper, Gold In Northern Wisconsin

Canadian mining company GreenLight Metals announced Monday that early drilling results confirm the presence of significant copper and gold at the Bend deposit in northern Wisconsin.

The company, which does business in the state as Green Light Wisconsin, drilled six holes this summer on less than an acre of the deposit in Taylor County within the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest. The Bend deposit is believed to contain about 4.2 million tons of ore that has primarily copper-bearing sulfides and gold.

More Taxes, More Fees, More Spending Proposed For Milwaukee City Budget

Milwaukee’s mayor is looking to tax more and spend more in his new city budget.

Mayor Cavalier Johnson unveiled his proposal for a more than $2 billion 2026 city budget.

“The plan closes a historic budget gap responsibly while keeping services strong. It prioritizes public safety with funding for the maximum number of new police recruits, more firefighters, and continued investments in traffic safety. It also advances housing affordability, supports our libraries, and invests in neighborhood infrastructure,” Johnson said in a Facebook post.